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BOOTHTOWN AQUEDUCT
They gathered from all corners of Sydney, ready for yet another day of excitement and interest.
Initially Michael, the substitute Co-Leader, had no trouble herding his entourage of seven, make that 8 when Helen joined us at Pymble (later this proved to become more challenging when the numbers swelled to a very healthy seventeen). Robyn travelled down from her mountain retreat and met us along with twelve more eager walkers, once we arrived at Parramatta. Our band of brothers and sisters then headed onto the 806 bus and the merriment began.
The bus landed us near the Boothtown Aqueduct in Lower Prospect Canal Park and John M immediately found a terrific spot for our morning tea. After walking 50m from the bus stop to this ideal locality, we were able to sit once again. At this point, some may have wondered if this was a walk or a sit that they had signed up for.
Bus stop briefing Starting off in the rain - morning tea site in view
Morning tea
None deterred, Michael and Lyndy led the troop along the canal and stopped to read the many varied signs, conveniently detailing the development and history of the aqueduct/viaduct.
As we were walking along a clearly defined pathway, the group started to s-p-r-e-a-d out somewhat.
This proved to be a challenge, albeit it one that was never quite overcome. No danger appeared to be concealed within the pathway environment, until three youths dressed totally in black attire, with hoodies pulled up over their heads, proceeded to charge by us on e-bicycles. One came so close behind Wendy, that she said, "I could feel the breeze as he passed by". As this is my flock, it was my responsibility to protect every member, so I yelled out to them to "slow down". They did not and re-appeared behind us to ride by again. We must have been their excitement for the day. Maybe they thought we were a bunch of old folk whom they could have some fun with. Undeterred our intimidating bunch of walkers proceeded on and the youths must have re-thought their actions and bid a hasty retreat. No-one is going to take on seventeen HVB Walkers!
Reading information notice, approaching the aqueduct Entrance to the abandoned aqueduct, and western intake for the reverse syphon.
Path over aqueduct, looking back to western syphon entry tower Eastern end syphon building
Longitudinal view of support structure Eastern end of aqueduct Interesting architecture
We walked on and came upon the holding tanks still buried in the ground after all these years. They were built to supply water for the Smithfield area which was a rural area at the time.
Descent into an unaltered part of the canal Reservoirs, abandoned and filled in - once filled from the canal, for Smithfield water supply
Remnant Cumberland Plains Woodland Drink stop in the woodland
A bit further on, we diverged left off the track, for some street walking to Central Gardens for lunch under the trees. We sat at tables beside the wildlife section, containing Emus and other animals.
Lunch for some Waterfall in the Gardens lake
Lunched group
Then it was on to catch the bus back to Parramatta for coffee. Since we had just missed the previous bus, there was a long wait for the next one but when it appeared and we gathered to board, it shot right by without stopping.
This meant another kilometer of walking to take us to a different bus and avoid another lengthy wait.
We were within sight of the Bus Stop, when Don charged off across the road on a mission to seek a faster route. Unfortunately, this did not eventuate and the sight of him outside our bus while it waited for the lights to change was not sufficient for the driver to open the doors and let him in.
Imagine our joy when he walked into Max Brenner coffee shop and joined us for the de-brief.
A great day out and somewhere different, thanks to our Ezy Walks creators, Robyn, Keith & Cherry.
EDITOR’S INDULGENCE BOX
The Prospect Canal, part of the Upper Nepean Water Scheme, was constructed to deliver water (about 400Ml/d) from the new Prospect Dam to Greater Western Sydney and was completed in 1888. It was a remarkable engineering undertaking, with a gradient of just 10cm/km over its 7 km length along Prospect Creek. A Romanesque aqueduct was built where the canal crosses the valley. The construction of the walls of the canal over the aqueduct was not as robust as the supporting structure, and the parapet walls failed in 1892. After re-building and strengthening failed to allow for a sufficiently large flow, an ingenious reverse syphon was installed to take the water across the valley below ground level.
The canal was decommissioned in 1995, and after some community agitation was converted to a cycleway/walkway. The Lower Prospect Canal Reserve contains one of the last remaining remnants of natural Cumberland Plain Woodland in the Sydney basin.
Leaders : Lyndy & Michael
Tail End : Barbara
First Aid: Lyndy
Walkers : Anne D, Anne G, Barbara R, Christine M, David R, Dennis, Don Wo, John M, Lyndy, Michael and Sue, Nick B, Pat, Robyn Mi, Sue B, Wendy P, Helen R
Photos: Lyndy (11); Barb (4,7,13,16,17,18); Chris M (5,8,10,12,19, 21); Don Wo (1,2,3,6,9,14,15,20)